Baptistry for immersion



Sept. 30, 1969 cs. L. BRADLEY BAPTISTRY FOR IMNERSION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Sept. 26. 1967 FIG.2

INVENTOR.

61/) L. BRADLEY ZKZM/ 272 Sept. 30, 1969 e. L. BRADLEY 3,469,265

BAPTIS'I'RY FOR IMMERSION Filed Sept. 26, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet zINVENTOR.

GUY L. BRADLEY United States Patent 3,469,265 BAPTISTRY FOR IMMERSIONGuy L. Bradley, Chula Vista, Calif. (3908 Cooney Way, Bakersfield,Calif. 93309) Filed Sept. 26, 1967, Ser. No. 670,645 Int. Cl. A47k3/022, 3/12, 3/16 U.S. Cl. 41 4 Claims ABSTRACT on THE DISCLOSURE Abaptistry for immersion having complementary steps on each end thereofwith a seat in between the two sets of steps which is adjustable inheight, the bottom step on eachset of steps having an adjustablefoot-hold means for accommodating persons of differing sizes during theimmersion process and an adjustable platform adjacent the baptistry foraccommodating ministers of various heights during the baptismalceremony.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to abaptistry for immersion and more particularly to a baptistry forimmersion having an adjustable seat therein and an adjustable toeholdfor accommodating persons of differing heights.

PRIOR ART BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, abaptistry for immersion is provided having a set of steps on each endthereof. A glass panel is preferably included to permit the viewing ofthe complete baptism by the congregation. A seat, which is adjustable inheight, is provided in the center be tween the two sets of steps. Undereach bottom step of the two sets of steps, an adjustable toe-hold isprovided which, in combination with the adjustable seat, removes theoccupants weight from the minister since the majority of weight is borneby the occupant. A recessed area with steps leading down to anadjustable platform is provided for the minister adjacent to thebaptismal bath for allowing the minister proximity to the baptistrywithout the necessity of entering the bath itself. The overallconstruction results in a substantial reduction in water volume.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a baptistry forimmersion having a height adjustment for accommodating a wide range ofage groups.

Another object is to provide a baptistry for immersion having anadjustable toe-hold for accommodating a wide range of heights of users.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a baptistry forimmersion having a recessed area for placing the minister in proximityto the person being baptized without the necessity of immersion orpartial immersion of the minister.

A still further object is to provide a baptistry in which the occupantsweight is substantially removed from the minister.

Yet another object is to provide a baptistry for immersion which isinexpensive to manufacture and install and extremely convenient in use.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages will be readilyappreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description when considered in connection with theaccompanying drawing in which like reference numerals designate likeparts throughout the figures thereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective View partially broken away of the preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation in schematic form of the embodiment of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a detail in perspective of the toe-hold apparatus of FIGS. 1and 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view in perspective of the seat construction ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the seat and toe-hold portions of thepresent invention mounted as an insert to existing baptistrys.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 baptistry 11 has two sets of steps 12 and 13,steps 13 having a recess 14 in the bottom step thereof. Floor area 17has a pedestal 18 supporting an adjustable shaft 19 therein on which aseat 21 is carried. Recess 14 has an adjustable toe-hold apparatus showngenerally at 22. Adjustable shaft 19 is coupled to toehold apparatus 22as indicated by dotted lines 20. A recessed area shown generally at 23has a plurality of steps 24 leading down to an adjustable platform 26adjacent to the floor area 17 of baptistry 11. A dividing wall 25separates recessed area 23 from baptistry 11.

Referring to FIG. 3, a detail of the toe-hold apparatus 22 is shownhaving an axle member 28 rotatably coupled to the sides 27 of recess 14.Axle member 28 has two U- shaped members 31 and 32 mounted atsubstantially right angles to each other. Extension 31 accommodates afoothold for a relatively short person and extension 32 provi-des afoot-hold for a relatively tall person.

Adjustable shaft 19 is coupled via a wire 20 around guide wheel 33through conduit 34 to a guiding disk 36 fixedly attached to axle member28.

Referring to FIG. 4, pedestal 18 has a top 19 which is stepped at 37, 38and 39, each steps 37 and 38 having a retaining lip at their respectiveedges. Adjustable shaft 19 has a retaining rod 41 adapted to cooperatewith steps 37, 38 and 39 in top surface 15 of pedestal 18.

Referring to FIG. 5, an insert is shown having a floor area 17, apedestal 18 and a foot adjustment 22. Adjustable shaft 19 is received bya pedestal 18 and carries seat 21 thereon. Two sets of steps 12 and 13are shown but may or may not be included.

OPERATION Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen that the party tobe baptized can enter the baptistry from either stairway 12 or 13 andcan adjust seat 21 to accommodate his height (in the alternative, seat21 can be adjusted for groups of relatively short persons or groups ofrelatively tall persons). The foot-hold mechanism 22 being coupled toadjustable shaft 19 is automatically positioned for the height of theuser depending upon the height posi tioning of seat 21, i.e., with seat21 raised, the coupling wire 20 rotates the U-shaped member 31 upward,accommodating a relatively short person, and with seat shaft 19 lowered,coupling 20 allows U-shaped member 31 to lie flush with floor 17,placing U-shaped member 32 in position for accommodating a relativelytall person. This combination of the adjustable toe-hold and seat,removes the burden of the occupants weight from the minister since theoccupant is holding himself by his feet at the time of his immersion ina backward direction while seated.

It can be seen that the minister attending the baptising ceremony merelydescends steps 24 and stands on adjustable platform 26 without thenecessity of a partial immersement in the bath of the baptistry itself.

Referring to FIG. 5, the seat adjustment and toe-hold adjustmentmechanisms are shown mounted on a platform 17 for insertion in anexisting baptistry. Steps can be omitted or included as the needdictates.

It should be understood, of course, the foregoing disclosure relates toonly a preferred embodiment of the invention and that it is intended tocover all changes and modifications of the invention herein chosen forthe purpose of the disclosure which do not constitute departures in thespirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A baptistry for immersion comprising:

a closed bath having a set of steps at one end thereof,

said set of steps including a bottom step;

a recess underneath said bottom step of said set of steps;

an adjustable toe-hold means mounted within said recess;

a seat in proximity with said adjustable toe-hold means.

2. The baptistry of immersion of claim 1 and further including:

adjustment means for adjusting the height of said seat.

3. The baptistry for immersion of claim 2 and further including:

.4 coupling means for coupling said adjustment means for adjusting theheight of said seat to said adjustable toe-hold means, whereby uponraising said seat, said adjustable toe-hold means is adjusted foraccommodating relatively short occupants and upon lowering said seat,said adjustable toe-hold means is ad justed for accommodating relativelytall occupants. 4. The baptistry for immersion of claim 1 and furtherincluding:

a compartment adjacent to said baptistry for immersion for accommodatinga minister, said compartment including a platform adjustable inelevation.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 182,939 5/1958 Wiedemann 41722,869,140 1/1959 Wiedemann 4172 2,875,528 3/1959 Garate 4172 20 LAVERNED. GEIGER, Primary Examiner H. K. ARTIS, Assistant Examiner

